Melanie Perkins’s journey from a Perth dorm room to a global design tool worth $25 billion is inspiring.
Imagine this: you’re a college student trying to make a simple presentation, but all the design software feels way too complicated. That’s exactly what Melanie Perkins noticed while studying at the University of Western Australia. She wasn’t a designer, just someone frustrated with how hard it was to make things look good. And from that frustration, a bold idea was born.
The Birth of Fusion Books
At just 19, Melanie, along with her boyfriend Cliff Obrecht, launched a small online tool to help students design yearbooks. They called it Fusion Books, and they ran it out of her mom’s living room. It wasn’t flashy, but it solved a real problem—and people started using it.
Chasing a Bigger Vision
But Melanie didn’t stop there. She began to think bigger: What if anyone could create beautiful designs—without needing fancy software or training? A few clicks, some drag-and-drop, and done. That was the dream.
Investor Rejections and a Bold Move
Of course, turning that dream into a real business wasn’t easy. Investors didn’t bite at first. Melanie pitched her idea to over 100 investors and heard “no” more times than most of us would dare to handle. But she didn’t give up. In fact, she even learned how to kitesurf—just to connect with a potential investor who loved the sport.

The Breakthrough: Launching Canva
Eventually, her persistence paid off. She met Cameron Adams, a former Googler with a background in design. He believed in her vision and joined as a co-founder. Together, they launched Canva in 2013.
The response? Massive. Canva made design feel effortless. Anyone—from teachers to marketers to startup founders—could now create professional-looking designs in minutes. The platform exploded in popularity and today serves over 150 million users worldwide.
Success with Purpose
But here’s what really stands out: Melanie and Cliff have pledged the majority of their shares to charitable causes. They’re not just building a company—they’re using their success to give back.
The Key to Melanie Perkins’ Success
Melanie’s story is a reminder that big things often start small. You don’t need to be in Silicon Valley, or have a tech degree, to change the world. All it takes is spotting a real problem, crafting a smart solution, and refusing to quit.
Next time you use Canva, remember: it all began in a dorm room in Perth—with a student who simply believed design should be easier for everyone.
Read More: YourStory, Kitrum, EconomicTimes